Missouri House perfects bill expanding access to pooled employer health plans

The Missouri House on Feb. 16 perfected and ordered printed a committee substitute for House Bill 2596, a measure designed to update state law governing multiple-employer self-insured health plans, known as MEWAs.

Sponsor Representative from Carol said the bill clarifies eligibility so sole proprietors with at least one non-related employee may join pooled plans and adjusts the minimum surplus requirement. “This bill updates Missouri law so successful small business health plans can keep growing and serving more Missourians,” the sponsor said on the floor. She emphasized the measure does not change benefits but modernizes statutory language and requires a risk-based capital report to be filed with the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Members from both parties spoke in favor, describing MEWAs as a recruitment and retention tool for small and family-owned businesses. A member noted the bill passed the authorizing committees unanimously, citing committee votes (9-0 in committee and 15-0 in rules) during floor remarks.

Several representatives asked technical questions about who counts toward eligibility; the sponsor confirmed the bill requires at least one non-related employee and aligns with guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor. After floor discussion the motion to perfect and print passed with the ayes prevailing.

The bill’s provisions include: expanded access for certain small and family-owned businesses; clarification that benefits are not changed by the statute; modification of the statutory surplus test and an additional governance requirement to file a risk-based capital report with the Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Next steps: The bill was perfected and printed for further consideration in subsequent legislative steps.